Latin Grammy Awards: Calle 13 Sets Record With 19 Wins, Including Album of the Year

LAS VEGAS -- Calle 13 won album of the year at the Latin Grammy Awards, earning the top prize after a record-breaking night that saw the Puerto Rican hip-hop duo receive 19 awards overall.

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Earlier in the night, the socially charged rap group made history and won its 18th award for song of the year for "Latinoamerica." That broke the record for most awards overall previously held by 17-time winner Juanes.

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The group's honors also included best tropical song, best shortform music video and best alternative song co-written by Rafa Arcaute.

Alejandro Santiago Ciena, who directed Calle 13's video "Calma Pueblo," spoke backstage about the concept of the video, which includes people disrobing and running in the nude through city streets as an expression of freedom.

"We wanted the lyrics and the visuals to be strong," said Santiago Ciena of his third video collaboration with Calle 13. "We wanted it to be real, but still have a positive message to the show the union of people who fight to produce art."

Best longform music video went to popular Venezuelan singer/songwriter Franco De Vita for "En Primera Fila." The singer, who Wednesday night performed during a tribute dinner for Shakira, dedicated the trophy to his native country. "I want to thank my fans, the fans of Venezuela," De Vita said. "Now we have won, Venezuela!"

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Mexico's Zoé won two prizes: best rock song for "Labios Rotos" and best alternative music album for Música de Fondo: MTV Unplugged.

The trophy in the category for best singer-songwriter album resulted in tie with wins for Peruvian singer Gian Marco for his work on Dias Nuevas and Cuban artist Amaury Gutierrez for Sesiones Intimas. Backstage Marco spoke about his win.

"Making this project was a huge sacrifice," the singer said. "I want to dedicate this to students in Peru so they can see that with hard work they an accomplish anything."

Gutierrez's backstage reaction to his win was bittersweet as the Cuban native said that he's likely not to visit his birth country anytime soon because his visa will likely be denied due to his criticism of the government.

"I'm sure they (Cuban officials) will not let me in," Gutierrez said. "That has to change."

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Other pre-telecast winners included Vicente Fernández for best ranchero album for his El Hombre Que Más Te Amó; Rafael Arcaute and Calle 13 for producer of the year and La Arrolladora Banda Del Limón de René Camacho for Todo Depende de Tí.

After accepting the win, Camacho spoke about the Mexican band's stronghold in the music business within the regional Mexican genre.

"They're working in Mexico right now, but they're extremely happy with this win," said Camacho. "It is beautiful to win awards, but the most beautiful thing is to have the support of the community."

Other wins included Rubén Blades' Y Seis Del Solar for best salsa album, the late Cachao for best traditional tropical album, the late Mercedes Sosa's Deja La Vida Volar-En Gira for best folk album, Caetano Veloso's Zii E Zie-Ao Vivo for best Brazailian rock album and Little Joe & La Familia's Recuerdos for best Tejano album.